The annual Thanksgiving Day football matchup between Wellesley High School and Needham High School looked like a mismatch going in: The Raiders were 8-2, and the Rockets 2-8. What unfolded turned out to be no surprise, as Wellesley jumped out to a 7-0 lead before most fans filed in and shut out Needham 27-0.
Dreary conditions had fans standing throughout the game to avoid the cold wet seats, and oh, to cheer on a dominant Raiders team.
The weather didn’t stop the Raiders from connecting on some long passes, including a 14-yarder from quarterback Matt Maiona to Anthony Perez on a 4th and 7, and later, a 49-yarder. The defense featured a fearsome sack by Joey Knight on Needham quarterback deep in Needham’s territory in the first half, a great strip of Needham’s QB by Wellesley’s Anthony Cristoforo, and a bunch of break-ups by Perez, on double duty.
I made an end-run to pick up my uncle for Thanksgiving dinner at halftime. And wouldn’t you know it, but I took my eyes off those boys for an hour and the next thing you know I hear about an ugly finish, with the teams skirmishing with a couple of minutes left. That resulted in the game getting cut a bit short.
The Raiders’ shutout came a day after WHS senior women held the Rockets scoreless in the annual Powder Puff game.
Watch the Fox News feed. Play had stopped. A needham player well after play stopped took a running shot at a defenseless Wellesley player who was not looking. The Wellesley boys ran to their friends defense. This was not some bar room brawl. It’s an unfortunate end to the game which would not have occurred but for the post play shot taken by the opposing player. This Wellesley team is an exceptional group of young men who I am sure would prefer the focus be on an excellent playoff season and 27-0 win to close out the season.
Wellesley Raiders one of the best high school football teams I seen .This team really sticks together and the coaches make sure that they are on their side no matter what happens good or bad rain or shine they treat each other like a family there’s nobody better they all equal.This sport really teaches kids the basic of responsibility better future and acknowledge of life.class of 2020 lets get it.
Congrats to Wellesley on there win. Good job guys. Yes I am a Needham fan. I am sorry for the skirmish near the end of the game. Both teams need to be penalized for that.
Bob, maybe we are being polite, but why did the coverage not include what is now regional news (Boston Herald) about a brawl. It’s even on Google video. And we “won” 27-0.
Hi Catherine, it’s in the headline of the post and I mention it in the text as well. As noted, I had to leave at halftime to pick up my uncle for Thanksgiving, so referenced the Herald article and the skirmish…Never saw anything like that at our kids’ running meets. Bob